Updated: Mario Cristobal joining Al Golden’s staff at Miami

Posted by Ben Kercheval on January 10, 2013, 12:03 PM EDT

AP

One of the coaches who our humble opinion did not deserve to lose his job this season, at least based on the reason that was given, was FIU’s Mario Cristobal. The university pulled a shocker in early December by releasing Cristobal after six seasons, and one year after he was connected to the head coaching positions at Pitt and Rutgers.

But it turns out that Cristobal may not be unemployed for long. Footballscoop.com and CBSSports’Bruce Feldman report Thursday morning that Cristobal will join Al Golden‘s coaching staff at Miami. He will reportedly be tabbed associate head coach and tight ends coach.

If true, it would be a great hire for Golden. Cristobal is a Miami guy through and through being from the city and playing at “The U.”

One would also think it would be a temporary gig of sorts. His 27-47 record with FIU alone doesn’t nearly provide the context of what Cristobal did for that program. He’ll get another chance at being a head coach sooner or later. Cristobal already reportedly interviewed for the Temple head coaching job after his release from FIU.

Updated 2:39 p.m. ET: Miami has confirmed that Cristobal will be the Canes’ tight ends and associate head coach with former tight ends coach Brennan Carroll taking over wide receivers.

I think associate head coach is the assistant to the assistant head coach….I think…..maybe.

Either way its a great hire by Golden, from coaching to recruiting. It’s also a nice move by Cristobal, he sticks it to FIU in a way, he doesn’t have to move his family and if Golden ever decides to leave, he would be an obvious choice to replace him.

The “U” is on the way back! Al Golden has made the commitment and this hire ensures more tradition in the program. Ray Lewis will be a special consultant next year while his son is a freshman running back too..